By Jennifer Danner

Seattle Police Department

SW Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator

As most of you know, the SW Precinct has recently been impacted by a prolific mail thief. As of 4/27/2021, this individual was being held in custody.

In an effort to combat this trend, the SW Precinct would like to provide the following mail and package theft prevention strategies.

Mail Theft Prevention-

• Check mailbox every day for incoming mail
• Never send cash in the mail
• Consider signing up for USPS Informed Delivery (https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action) to be notified of what is being delivered each day 
• Don’t leave outgoing mail unattended in the mailbox for pick up- drop it off at the post office instead
• If you are going out of town- ask the post office to hold your mail until you return
• Keep your mailbox in good repair and make sure it is properly installed
• Consider a locking mailbox (contact your local postmaster for regulations)

Package Theft Prevention-

• Consider choosing a shipping method that requires a signature
• Ask the delivery service to hold the package for customer pick up
• Track packages/shipments online
• Considering buying a locking bin for packages
• Arrange to have the package delivered to work or a location where someone else can receive it

If you are a victim of mail or package theft, be sure to report this to the Seattle Police Department using our online reporting system and/or by calling the non-emergency line and asking to submit a report over the phone. Please note- It may also be necessary to report the stolen parcel to the courier and/or retailer.

Below you will find my contact information, including email address and phone numbers. Keep an eye out next month for a crime prevention bulletin! Below you will also find additional SPD and City of Seattle resources, as well as upcoming events. 

Email address: Jennifer.Danner@seattle.gov         

Desk phone number: (206) 256-6820

Cell phone number: (206) 471-2849

Additional SPD Resources-

• Seattle Police Department Non-Emergency Number: (206) 625-5011
• Seattle Police Department’s Website: http://www.seattle.gov/police/      
• Seattle Police Department’s Online Crime Reporting: https://www.seattle.gov/police/need-help/online-reporting         
• Seattle Police Department’s ‘Thank An Employee’: https://www.seattle.gov/police/about-us/contact-us/thank-an-employee
• Contact information for other SPD Crime Prevention Coordinators:
  • North Precinct- (vacant at this time) Please contact Sergeant Martin Welte- Martin.Welte@seattle.gov
  • East Precinct- Joseph Elenbaas- Joseph.Elenbaas@seattle.gov
  • West Precinct- Barb Biondo- Barbara.Biondo@seattle.gov 
  • South Precinct- Mark Solomon- Mark.Solomon@seattle.gov         

Other City of Seattle Resources-

• Find It Fix It: https://www.seattle.gov/customer-service-bureau/find-it-fix-it-mobile-app
  • Customer Service Bureau Main Line: 206-684-CITY (2489)
• Seattle Parks Department: https://www.seattle.gov/parks
  • 24-Hour Maintenance Request Line: 206-684-7250
• Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT): https://www.seattle.gov/transportation
  • Report a problem: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/permits-and-services/report-a-problem
• Parking Enforcement: https://www.seattle.gov/police/about-us/about-policing/parking-enforcement#:~:text=Parking%20Enforcement%20Main%20Line%20206%2D386%2D9012
  • Main Line: 206-386-9012
• Seattle Department of Construction and Inspection (SDCI): https://www.seattle.gov/sdci
  • File a Complaint Online: https://www.seattle.gov/sdci/codes/make%C2%A0a-property-or-building-complaint

Upcoming Events-

• SPD Women’s Personal Safety Class
  • Monday June 14th at 3pm
    • Register here: https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action
    • Please note: registration opens on May 11th, you may need to create an account with the Seattle Parks Department if you do not already have one